The national parks of the USA are known the world over. From dramatic canyons and snowy peaks to some of the oldest trees on Earth, they are among the country’s great natural sights.
Landscape of the USA
They hold a wealth of wildlife and natural landmarks, and, being easy to reach from major cities and offering camping, they are firm fixtures on travellers’ lists.
They are good for hiking, sightseeing and learning about the country’s history, and whether for a day trip, a weekend or a week, they make a fine holiday. Here are eight of the best.
1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a remarkable sight and one of the most visited parks in America. However many times you see it, it still impresses.
The majestic Grand Canyon seen from a vantage point
The multicoloured rock walls tower over the Colorado River. The canyon is immense, covering more than a million acres and running some 277 miles along the river. The viewpoints along the South Rim give the best photographs; for fewer crowds, head to the North Rim. The park has endless hiking of all levels, along with rafting on the Colorado, scenic train rides and helicopter tours.
2. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone covers 2.2 million acres and is famous for its geology: steam vents, colourful pools and geysers, along with lakes, springs, waterfalls and wildlife.
The vivid Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone
It has the largest collection of thermal features and geysers in the world, spreading from Wyoming into Idaho and Montana. Beyond the thermal areas, it is home to herds of bison seen across the park. You can camp, ride, sightsee and cycle here.
3. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is one of the oldest parks in the USA and holds some of its most iconic sights, known for waterfalls such as Vernal and Bridalveil.
The pristine Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park
The granite of Half Dome and El Capitan, and the ancient sequoias, make it memorable. The park covers over 1,200 square miles, though most of the main sights are in Yosemite Valley. There are plenty of viewpoints, along with camping, hiking and other activities.
4. Death Valley National Park, California
Furnace Creek, a small settlement (a census-designated place) within Death Valley National Park, is a good base for one of the most striking parks in the country. Death Valley holds the lowest point in North America.
The rugged Death Valley in Furnace Creek
The extreme conditions set it apart from other parks. It covers about 13,600 square kilometres, with unusual landforms including five dune fields, volcanic craters and a mansion, Scotty’s Castle. The finest sight in this harsh place is the spring wildflower bloom across the desert floor.
5. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, the odd-shaped rock pillars left by erosion, seen from viewpoints along a scenic drive.
The Hoodoos spread across the Bryce Canyon
The roughly 35,000-acre park has some of the finest scenery in Utah. One of the best ways to see it is to walk among the hoodoos on the trails, and there are horseback rides among the red-rock formations too. Set at high elevation, it is good for camping, and its clear night skies make it excellent for stargazing.
6. Arches National Park, Utah
As the name suggests, Arches is full of natural arches, covering nearly 77,000 acres in eastern Utah, on a rock plateau above the Colorado River, with unusual sandstone formations.
The beautiful Arches National Park
The best-known formations are the North and South Windows, Delicate Arch, Park Avenue, Landscape Arch and Double Arch. Arches is easy to explore, as the main sights lie along the main road, and the lively town of Moab is nearby.
7. Coyote Buttes, Arizona
Coyote Buttes divides into two areas, North and South, in the cross-bedded Jurassic Navajo Sandstone.
The Wave in Coyote Buttes
One of the most interesting spots is the dinosaur trackway, with densely packed footprints made almost 190 million years ago. The Wave, at Coyote Buttes North, is one of the most striking rock features on Earth. These sandstone formations are open only to a limited number of hikers a day, and you need a permit to visit.
8. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon, on Navajo land east of Page, has two sections: Upper Antelope Canyon (the Crack) and Lower Antelope Canyon (the Corkscrew).
The distinctive caves in Antelope Canyon
The canyon has striking wave-like walls and beams of light that fall through the openings. Carved by water over millions of years, its walls now rise more than 120 feet above the streambed. Visits are by guided tour only, but the tours are worthwhile, as you also learn about the history, culture and geology of the area.
These parks can make a trip to the USA. On your next visit, add a few of them to see the country’s natural sights.
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